Environmental record

Symbols of Christmas

In 2005, Davis introduced H. Res. 579 to the House of Representatives, expressing support for the use of Christmas symbols and traditions. When asked to extend the resolution to include Hannukah symbols and traditions, she refused. [1]

Bio

Davis was born June 29, 1950 in Rowan County, North Carolina. She attended Hampton Roads Business College and worked in real estate before she was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1996 and served until her election to the U.S. House.

In 2000, First District Congressman Herb Bateman, a 17-year incumbent, announced his retirement due to health concerns. He collapsed and died on September 11. Davis ran and won the Republican nomination to succeed him, despite governor Jim Gilmore endorsing her primary opponent. She went on to win easily in November.

Congressional career

The First is one of the most Republican districts in Virginia (it has been in Republican hands since 1977, and only the neighboring 7th District is considered more Republican), and Davis was reeelected unopposed in 2002 and 2004. Davis is staunchily conservative, especially on social issues. She says, "Issues that impact the family are the ones that concern me the most — the homosexual agenda, the need for pro-life legislation, for example. Families are the basis of our nation."[2]

Davis is one of four Pentecostals in the 109th Congress. The others--all Republicans--are Todd Tiahrt of Kansas Tim Johnson of Illinois and Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado. She said in a 2004 interview, "I'm not a politician first; I'm a Christian who happens to be in politics. I feel very strongly that this is the path that God led me on. I see a lot of ways in Congress, in Washington, in which God is working. I think now more than ever we have a godly man in the White House and we have Christians in the House and Senate. I believe God is trying to move and it's time now that we pray and humble ourselves."[3]

Death at home

Rep. Davis died Saturday at her home in Gloucester, Va, from cancer at the age of 57. Davis was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and had a re-occurrence earlier this year. According to Davis’ office she had been receiving breast cancer treatment at Duke University and recently received positive reports on the condition. The week of October 1, 2007, however, her health took a turn for the worse. [2]

President Bush praised Davis for her congressional service and said her “determination to fight disease is an inspiration to all of us.” House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) praised Davis’s dedication to serving in spite of her illness.[3]

Special election for seat

According to Virginia state officials, the successor to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.) will be chosen during a special election on a date set by Gov. Timothy Kaine (D). Virginia state law does not require Kaine to set the election date within a prescribed amount of time, however an aide to the governor said on October 7, 2007 that if Kaine decided not to call for a special election on Nov. 6, Election Day for state and local offices, it could not be held until 30 days later according to state law.[4]

On October 23, 2007 Kaine announced the special election date to be December 11, 2007. Republicans running in the election include Davis' husband Chuck Davis, former state Del. Dick Black, state Del. Rob Wittman, businessman Paul Jost, conservative activist David Caprara and former Loudoun County Del. Sherwood Bowditch. The election was to use paper ballots because voting machines were not available so soon after the November elections and were needed to train workers for the Presidential primary in February.[5]

Money in politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. For specific controversies, see this article's record and controversies section.

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